Edhat StaffSource: Santa Maria Police Department
On Monday, November 4, 2019, at about 1945 hours, Santa Maria Police Officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at a local liquor store, located in the 1500 block of S. Broadway. During their investigation, officers were told that a male suspect walked into the store displaying a handgun. The suspect took an alcoholic beverage from a cooler and walked out of the store, while displaying the handgun and refusing to pay for the item.
As officers were searching the business for evidence and witnesses, a male subject, later identified as 28 year old Santa Maria resident Anthony Prado, walked up to the business. Believing he matched the description of the robbery suspect, officers detained Prado. Those that witnessed the robbery positively identified Prado as the suspect.
At about the time of his arrest, a second robbery victim contacted the police department and reported Prado stole some personal property from her local mot el room and brandished a firearm at her when she tried to retrieve the stolen item.
Officers searched surrounding areas for the firearm used during the commission of these crimes. They located a pellet gun about a block away that had been discarded by Prado. The pellet gun looked like an actual handgun.
Prado was transported to the Santa Barbara County Jail, where he was booked on two separate counts of robbery, with each crime having a bail amount of $100,00.00.
On Monday, November 4, 2019, at about 1957 hours, Santa Maria Police Officers responded to the area of W. Betteravia Road and Thornburg Street to a reported robbery. During their investigation, officers were told by the victim that he was approached by a male suspect, who demanded money. The suspect told the victim he had a gun and threatened to use it if needed.
Fearing for his safety, the victim gave the suspect his money. The suspect fled the scene, last seen running northbound on Thornburg. Assisting officers began to check the surrounding area, at which time an alert officer saw a subject matching the suspect’s description. The subject, later identified as 19 year old Santa Maria resident Martin Montez De Oca, was detained by the officer. He was subsequently identified as the robbery suspect by a witness. It was also determined De Oca did not actually possess a handgun during the commission of this crime, but rather led the victim to believe he had one and was willing to use it.
De Oca was transported and booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on one count of felony robbery with bail set at $100,00.00.
